Collapsible take-up reel



S. C. FONS El'AL COLLASIBLE TAKE-UP REEL Nov. 23V, 1954 Filed June 8, 195o 5 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 23, 1954 s. c. PONS ETAL COLLAPSIBLE TAKE-UP REEL s sheets-sheet 2 Filed June 8, 1950 Nov. 23, 1954 s. c. FoNs Erm.

coLLAPsIBLE TAKE-UP REEL 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 8, 1950 'n 5. L 5 H.. .y @Mw .W W F K 16M@ 5M AM WAN M United States Patent coLLAPsiBLE `frAKi'i-'UP :REEL

Silas C. Fons and William V. Rollins, Waukegan, Ill., assigners to United States Steel Corporation, --a corporation of New Jersey Application June y8, '.1950, Serial rNo. V166,944

.9- Claims. :,(Cl. 242-115) This invention relates to y.aecollapsible .take-up reel and .more particularly to such 1.a reel for use on .the mandrel of the take-up of a wire .stranding machine. making up coils of wire it .is desired .to cover .the .coil with ,paper .or cardboard and in .the past zit has been .difficult to do this with the .reelsin common use.

It is therefore .an object of our invention to provide a collapsible take-up reel which is Epeculiarly vsuited vfor .making paper covered coils of wire.

This and other objects will be more apparent after referring to the following Aspecification and attached drawings., in which:

Figure .l isa sectional view taken on the line l--I of Figure .2;

.FigureZ is an eend view ofFigure y1 taken Vin the direc- .tion of arrowll;

Figure 3 .is a sectional view taken on the yline .lII--III .ofFigure l.;

Figure 4 isan .end Yview of Figure 1 .taken in Ithedirec- .tion of arrow.lV

.Figure 5 is ran enlarged sectional :view taken on the line V-V of Figure `2,;

Figure 6 shows a paper or cardboard disc -used in carrying out .our-invention; Y.and

Figure 7 ;is a sectional .yiew of .a :completed '.coil of wire.

Referring more yparticularly .to the drawings .the reference numeral 2 indicates a hollow rshaft which :is .adapted to be mounted -on the arbor 4 yof a stranding machine. Welded to the shaft 2 is an outwardly extending flangeor plate 6. A circular plate 8 is Ywelded tothe extreme end of the shaft 2 adjacent the Vplate 6. The .plates -6 and 8 are connected by a tubular member 10 lwelded to yboth plates. Radialreinforcing ribs 12 extend from the outer periphery .of `plate .6 .to `the .tubular member 10. Radial slots 14 vare provided .inttheplate 6 :for a purpose which will appear later. .A slot 16 is cut :in vtheplate '.61between each pair of radial .slots 14. Welded to v'the .plate -6 on each side of slot 16 is alug .18. Aligned openings 20 are provided in each pair .of lugs 18 for receiving a-,pivot pin 22. Each of the pivotpins supports a barrel segment24. Asshown, four barrelsegmentsare provided :with a space therebetween aligned .with the radial slots 14. .An axial slot 26`is provided.in.at least two of the barrel -segments 24. One end of va spring 27 Vis .attached to each of the barrel segments 24 with the -other end v-being .attached to the `shaft 2. Acircularplate 28 is welded to .the shaft 2 a .short distance from the end remote .from fplate 8. Gusset plates 30 welded .to theshaft 2 and plate 2S may be provided for reinforcement. Two .studs 34 are welded to the plate 28 with the threaded vend thereof extending outwardly for a purpose which will appear later. .A cover plate 36 is made up of an outwardly extending flange or plate 38 welded .toa tubular 4zhub 4.0 vwhich has an internal diameter justslightlygreater .than the outside diameter of the -shaft 2. A ring 42 having a bevelled outer surface 44 is welded to the ,inner side of plate 3.8. Plate 38 has va plurality of openings :46 'therethrough .for receiving .the studs 34. Each of .the openings `46 has a portion '48 having a width slightly greater than the diameter ofthe studs 34 and a larger-circular portion `50. The diameter of the vportion 50 is such that washer -52 and nut I54 which are fastened to each of the studs 34 can pass therethrough.

As best shown in Figure 5, each of the flanges 6 and 38 has a ring 56 fastened to its outer periphery. An inwardly extending radial ange 58 is attached to each of .the .rings V56 .on :the side of .the flange 6 or `3.8 adjacent .each other. A space 60 is `provided .between the .dange 58 .and the flange-6 or 38..

The operation of the .device .is as follows:

The .shaft v2 is slipped lover the arbor A4 and `is held iii l.place thereon inanysuitable manner. A cyh`ndrical:core C, preferably made of paper, :slipped .over the lbarrel segments v24 and a -side .disc D .is placed against Ithe inner face of the .flange-.6. :As best .shown .in Figure 6 the disc D has .slots v60 finitsiriner periphery and slots62 inits outerperiphery. Prior .to placing the.disc..D against the :flange .6, Vthe disc is bent .inwardly over .the lcore member C. A .snap ,ring 64 is forced .into the opening 60 with one side .bearing .against .the .flange 558 .and the .other side .bearing against the ldisc :D to ,hold vit in place. vIn .like manner a .second disc .D is r,positioned .against Sllange 38. The cover plate 36 .is .then .placed againstthe flange 28 with the .large portion 50 `of the .openings `146 being .aligned withthe studs .34. The.beyelledportion 44 .of the ring 42 .bearing against similar bevel portions .on the barrelfsegments'24 `force .thebarrelsegments to their expanded position against the pressure of springs .2.7. .The cover plate is then turned until the studs 34 .are in the narrow sections 48 of the openings 46. The nuts 54 are then tightened to .hold .the reel in assembledposition. The end of tle wire W being .coiled is 'forcedthrough .the :coremember C finto one of `theopeiiings 26 fin .the barrel segmentsj24 and .reeling is begun. When the wire coil has .been built up .toa .diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the disc at .the base of ltheslot 62, .the wire is cut andthe ends of .the disc .D are bent over the outer periphery `of .the coil. .If .'desired, .a paper covering 66 may be placed around the :outer ,periphery of the coil. 'Steel strapping .6.8 is then .wrapped around .the .inner ,surface of thecore between `the oarrelsegmenta .outwardly :around the ,sides y'of .the coil in the slots 14 and around the outer .periphery ofthe coil and :the ends .fastened .together. The wrapping of the coil may be done either with .the reel mounted .on the .arbor 4 or with lthe .reel removed therefrom.

While .one .embodiment of .our [invention .has been shown and described, ,it .will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications .maybe made -without departing from the scope ofthe .following claims.

We claim:

l. .A collapsible take-up spool for coiling wire comprising a shaft, .an outwardly .extending flange .rigidly .secured .to one end o'f said shaft, a .plurality of barrel .segments pivotally mounted onsaid flange, a spring lattached .to each .segment Aand .to said shaft, .an outwardly extending memberrigidly .securedto the .other end ofsaid shaft a shortdistance fromtheend thereof, va :removable flange slidably mounted .on said .shaft .adjacent v.the llast .named end thereof, an .inwardly vextending ring on said .removable flange, .cooperating wedge .surfaces on said ring and said segments for Vholding the segments in expanded position, and means .for detachably .fastening .said .removable flange to .thesaid member.

2.l A collapsible .take-.up .spool .for coiling wire comprising a hollow shaft, an outwardly extending flange .rigidly secured to one end of saids'haIt, a plurality of barrel segments .pivotally mounted on .said ange, .said barrel segments having a vspace therebetween, a spring attached to each segment and to .said shaft, an outwardly .extending member rigidly secured .to .the .other .end .of said shaft a short distance .from the end thereof, .a removable flange slidably mountedon said .shaft adjacent the .last

named end thereof, .an .inwardly extending ring on said cover plate, cooperating wedge .surfaces on said ring and said segments .for holding .the .segments Fin expanded ,posi-Q tion, said flanges having radial .slots therein aligned with the slots between 'said segments, studs extending outwardly from the said member, .and nuts on :said studs, said removable flange .having openings therein for passage of said studs, `each fof said .last -named .openings having a portion therein larger `than said nut :and .a smaller portion to receive said stud.

3. A collapsible take-up spool for coiling wire comprising a shaft, an outwardly extending flange rigidly secured to one end of said shaft, a plurality of barrel segments pivotally mounted on said flange, a removable flange on the other end of said shaft, means for holding `thebrrel segments in expanded position, each of said flanges being adapted to receive a side disc against which `the wire bears, a ring attached to the outer rim of each of said flanges, an inwardly extending flange fastened to said ring and spaced from the side disc to form a space therebetween, and a snap ring in said space bearing against said side disc to hold it in place.

4. A collapsible take-up spool for coiling wire comlprising a shaft, an outwardly extending flange rigidly secured to one end of said shaft, a plurality of barrel segments pivotally mounted on said flange intermediate the ends thereof, an outwardly extending member rigidly secured to the other end of said shaft a short distance from the end thereof, a removable flange slidably mounted on said shaft adjacent the last named end thereof, a spring attached to each segment and to said shaft, an inwardly extending ring on said removable flange, cooperating wedge surfaces on said ring and said segments for holding the segments in expanded position, each of said flanges being adapted to receive a side disc against which the wire bears, a ring attached tothe outer rim of each of said flanges, an inwardly extending flange fastened to said last named ring and spaced from the side disc to form a space therebetween, a snap ring in said space bearing against said side disc to hold it in place, and means for detachably fastening said removable flange to said member.

i 5. A collapsible take-up spool for coiling wire com- ,prising a hollow shaft, an outwardly extending flange rigidly secured to one end of said shaft, a plurality of barrel segments pivotally mounted on said flange, an outend of said shaft a short distance from the end thereof, said barrel segments having a space therebetween, a spring attached to each segment and to said shaft, an inwardly extending ring on said cover plate, cooperating wedge surfaces on said ring and said segments for holdwardly extending member rigidly secured to the other y ing the segments in expanded position, said flanges having 5 radial slots therein aligned with the slots between said segments, each of said flanges being adapted to receive a side disc against which the wire bears, a last named ring attached to the outer rim of each of said flanges,

an inwardly extending flange fastened to saidV ring and spaced from the side disc to form a space therebetween, a snap ring in said space bearing against said side disc to hold it in place, and means for detachably fastening said cover plate to said member.

6. A coil forming reel comprising a longitudinal mem- 3*? ber, a first flange secured to said member at one end thereof and extending transversely thereto, a plurality of arcuate segments aligned so as to form a segmented cylindrical arbor around which a coil of cable may be placed, the axis of said segmented arbor being coincident with the axis of said member, and said arbor segments being spaced radially outwardly from said member and surrounding the latter, means pivotally mounting to said flange one end of each of the arbor segments for pivotal movement of the segments in planes extending through the axis of the arbor whereby the segments may be pivoted toward and away from said member, a second flange extending parallel to said first flange and slidably mounted on the other end of the member for movement toward and away from said first flange, cams secured to said second flange and co-acting with the arbor segments for pivoting the latter outwardly away from the arbor axis in response to movement of said second flange toward said first flange, and co-acting means on said member and said second flange for moving the latter toward said first flange and for securing said second flange in fixed position on said member, wherein said last-recited co-acting means comprises a supporting means fixedly secured on said member and having a plurality of pins extending therefrom parallel to the arbor axis toward said second flange, apertures on said second flange and in alignment with said pins, the latter extending outwardly through said apertures, and wrench-engageable elements on the outermost ends of said pins and cooperable with said 7. An apparatus for forming cable into coils comprising a plurality of arcuate segments aligned so asto form a segmented cylindrical arbor around which a coil of cable may be placed, a first flange at one end of said arbor, means pivotally mounting to said flange the ends of-said arbor segments adjacent thereto for pivotal movement of the segments in planes extending through the axis of the arbor, whereby the segments may be pivoted toward said axis so as to render the arbor tapered, a second flange at the other end of the arbor and movable with respect thereto, and co-acting cam means on said second flange and said segments for pivoting the latter outwardly away from the axis of the arbor in response to movement of the second flange with respect to the arbor, wherein said means for moving said second flange with respect to the arbor comprises a plurality of pin elements, means on said pin elements engageable with said second flange, and means for moving said last named means with respect to the arbor.

8. A coil forming reel comprising a longitudinal member, a first flange secured to said member at one end thereof and extending transversely thereto, a plurality of arcuate segments aligned so as to form a segmented cylindrical arbor around which a coil of cable may be placed, the axis of said segmented arbor being coincident with the axis of said member, and said arbor segments being spaced radially outwardly from said member and surrounding the latter, means pvotally mounting to said flange one end of each of the arbor segments for pivotal movement of the segments in planes extending through the axis of the arbor whereby the segments may be pivoted toward and away from said member, a second flange extending parallel to said first flange and slidably mounted on the other end of the member for movement toward and away from said first flange, cams secured to said second flange and co-acting with the arbor segments for pivoting the latter outwardly away from the arbor axis in response to movement of said second flange toward said first flange, and co-actng means on said member and said second flange for moving the latter toward said first flange and for securing said second flange in fixed position on said member, wherein said last-recited co-acting means comprises a supporting means fixedly secured on said member, at least one element mounted on said supporting means, means on said element engageable with said second flange, and means for selectably moving said last named means either toward or away from said first flange.

9. An apparatus for forming cable into coils comprising a plurality of arcuate segments aligned so as to form a segmented cylindrical arbor around which a coil of cable may be placed, a first flange at one end of said arbor, means pivotally mounting to said flange the ends of said arbor segments adjacent thereto for pivotal movement of the segments in planes extending through the axis of the arbor, whereby the segments may be pivoted toward said axis so as to render the arbor tapered, a second flange at the other end of the arbor and movable axially with `respect thereto toward said first flange, and `co-acting cam means on said second flange and said segments for pivoting the latter outwardly away from the arbor axis in response to movement of said second flange toward said first flange, wherein at least one opening extending substantially from one of said flanges to the other is provided in the outer surface of the cylindrical arbor, and wherein said flanges are provided with grooves each extending from adjacent a respective end of said openings to the outer periphery of the flanges, whereby a tie wire may be placed within the openings with the ends of the wire extending through said grooves,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Proctor Nov. 7, 1950 

